Other
Great Guitar Teachers
in Seattle
Right now I have a waiting list around two years long. I'm sorry--I wish I could take everybody right away.
Perhaps you'd like to study with another teacher, at least until I can teach you. Here are some of my favorite guitar teachers in Seattle.
Linda Waterfall
Linda is a well-loved and critically-acclaimed artist who currently teaches songwriting at Cornish College of the Arts. I met her a few years ago at the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, and took an excellent songwriting class from her recently. She is a great source of inspiration and wisdom, and her music is absolutely gorgeous. I give her my highest recommendation.
Styles: Songwriting, basic guitar skills (both fingerstyle & flatpick), guitar-based music theory, advanced fingerstyle.
Ages: Mostly high school and up, but also younger students, if they're motivated
Location: Wallingford
Availability: Flexible
Orville Johnson
Orville is not only a world-class musician--he's played on hundreds of albums, and appeared on Prarie Home Companion--he's also a generous and dedicated teacher. He even performed at a recent Coffee Shop Jam. What a treat!
I took lessons from Orville in 2006 to get some help with my country and blues technique, and I enjoyed his patient teaching style and wealth of knowledge. And you must see him perform with Mark Graham in the hilarious Kings of Mongrel Folk. I love their song "Neighbor of the Beast," about the disgruntled next-door neighbor of the Devil.
Styles: Dobro, Bottleneck Slide, Fingerstyle both blues and other, Flatpicking both bluegrass and other, Improvising and soloing, Music Theory applied to guitar, General guitar applicable to many styles.
Ages: Older teens and adults
Location: Dusty Strings
Availability: Tuesdays and occasional weekend appointments
206-932-4971
Orville's Website
Val D'Alessio
I found out about Val through the parent of one of her students, who gave her high praise. Val is both a professional musician and teaches music in the schools.
Styles: Rock, folk, blues, and country, beginners to intermediate.
Ages: Adults and kids 8 and up.
Location: Wedgewood/Ravenna area of Seattle.
John CalvinJohn teaches through Dusty Strings, the acoustic instrument paradise in downtown Fremont, so I know him from accompanying my students when they go guitar shopping. He's also taught several of my students and they have lots of good things to say.
Styles: Folk, Blues, Acoustic Rock, Celtic, Jazz, Classical, Fingerpicking and Flatpicking.
Ages: Kids 7 and up are welcome, as are adults at all skill levels. Adult beginners are especially encouraged.
Location: His home in Ballard, or at Dusty Strings.
Availability: Daytime and evening appointments.
John's Website
or call Dusty Strings: (206) 634-1662
Will VukinWill teaches a friend of mine, who likes his friendly, encouraging approach. He also teaches bass and banjo.
Styles: Fingerpicking; Flatpicking and Combination Styles; Rhythm and Lead Guitar; American Roots Music; Blues; Classic Folk and Folk Rock; Modern Rock and Pop; Country; Classical Guitar; World Music Styles; Instrumental Melody Picking; Songwriting and Arranging; Alternate Tunings; Improvising; Music Theory; How to visualize and navigate the guitar fingerboard and much more.
Ages: Adults and kids 6 and up.
Location: Ballard
Availability: Monday-Thursday afternoons and evenings, Saturday mornings.
Phone: 206-784-9670
Email Will
Charlotte Thistle
Styles: Folk, Rock, Popular styles. Beginner and intermediate students.
Ages: 6 - adult
Location: At her home in Capitol Hill, or at Guitar Emporium in Ballard. Charlotte also occasionally teaches workshops for kids at Dusty Strings.
Availability: Afternoons, evenings and every other SaturdayPhone: (206)522-5950
Website